The martial arena held its breath.
On the stage, the spectral forms of a dragon and a tiger clashed in a furious storm of power, scales and claws of light twisting and rending in midair.
Everyone knew, the battle's end was moments away.
From the viewing platform, Seraphina's cold eyes were locked on the stage. A faint murmur at her side drew her attention.
"To battle across realms… the victor is already decided."
The speaker was Valtor, City Lord of Lungrath, his hands calmly clasped behind his back. A subtle trace of admiration laced his voice.
Across the stands, Eldric's earlier composure had crumbled. His withered face twitched, and a chill flashed in his eyes as he stared at the raging dragon-and-tiger phantoms. He didn't yet know who would win, but an ominous weight settled in his chest.
Theron noticed that unease. He himself was shaken-more than he cared to admit. Earlier, Darian's peak Body Refinement had seemed impressive yet manageable. But when the boy's cultivation flared again, holding his ground against Lucian at Felric strength, Theron realized… perhaps he had never truly known this youth who had grown before his eyes.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd of young Valeblue clansmen.
"Who's going to win?"
"It has to be Lucian! He's already in the Wandering Mortal Realm!"
"But Darian… he doesn't seem weaker at all!"
The duel had seized their hearts. They longed to see which man would stand as the Valeblue clan's undisputed number one.
Aeris's breathing came fast and uneven. Her beautiful eyes widened in disbelief. The man she had always dismissed as a useless nobody was holding his own against her exalted "Brother Lucian."
Her jade-like hands clenched tightly. She rose abruptly, eyes locked on the stage.
A roar split the air like thunder.
"Prepare to fall!"
Pale-golden elemental force exploded skyward, shaking the arena. The tiger's roar echoed like a war drum. A body was flung through the air, limbs flailing, utterly helpless.
With a heavy crash, he slammed onto the shattered tiles, coughing up blood in crimson arcs.
As the golden light faded, a tall, slender figure emerged, black hair whipping in the wind, eyes sharp as a blade….
Darian.
Ten paces away lay Lucian, blood on his lips, his serpent-like gaze burning with hatred and disbelief.
The battle was decided.
"Darian won!"
"He beat Lucian!"
"He should be the number one genius now!"
The Valeblue youths erupted in cheers. Awe and fervor lit their eyes as they gazed upon the young man standing unbowed in the center of the stage.
Aeris went pale as parchment. The image she had clung to her Brother Lucian as an untouchable prodigy, was shattered. The man she had scorned now stood victorious, while her idol lay broken at his feet.
Darian's own arms ached from the clash, but his heart blazed.
I've done it. By my own hand, I've defeated Lucian and safeguarded the Blood Dragon Jade. Uncle Felric… no one can take what you left me.
A tide of emotions surged through him. For ten years he had endured sneers and humiliation. Now, at fifteen, he had toppled the golden son of the clan. The world would know, Darian had returned.
Lucian's pride writhed beneath the jeers of the crowd. The favored heir of the Valeblue clan-defeated by the man everyone had called broken. Hatred curdled in his chest.
An elderly figure descended to the stage Eldric, helping Lucian upright.
Darian ignored them. He bowed toward Theron.
"Uncle Theron, a month ago Lucian tried to take my Blood Dragon Jade. You witnessed our agreement. Today, I have won. I ask you to uphold justice."
Theron's eyes shone with pride.
"Hah! Darian, you hid your strength well. The Blood Dragon Jade was always yours. I was merely keeping it safe until you were older or strong enough. But now, you've earned it."
With a graceful motion, a dragon-shaped pendant of pure blood-red jade appeared in his palm.
Darian's breath caught. Uncle Felric's keepsake. The vessel of his yearning for the past decade.
Theron tossed it lightly. Darian caught it, fingers tightening around the smooth, warm stone. For a heartbeat, it was as if Uncle Felric's hand rested in his own.
Uncle Felric… I will find you.
He placed the jade against his chest, beside the unopened letter that never left him.
His purpose here was complete. It was time to leave the Valeblue clan and step into the vast world beyond.
He turned to go.
"Darian! Just you wait, I won't let you off!"
Lucian's venomous voice froze him mid-step. Darian glanced back, his gaze cool and unshaken.
"Lucian, you lost. From today onward, whenever you see me… keep away. Remember that."
The words were a lash across Lucian's pride, echoing the agreement they had made a month before a jest to Lucian then, but now a bitter reality. Rage boiled in him, nearly making him spit blood again.
From the stands, Seraphina studied Darian with newfound respect. Even she was no longer certain she could have bested him in that final clash.
Valtor had been silent until now, but his gaze had never left Darian. As he was about to speak, his eyes sharpened, and he looked toward the heavens.
"I wonder which guest honors my Lungrath City. Forgive me for not welcoming you sooner!"
Heads turned skyward.
A voice boomed from above, rolling like thunder across the arena:
"Darian… ten years have passed. They say you're broken. It seems they were wrong."
A colossal avian beast blotted out the sun as it descended, three figures upon its back an old man in yellow robes, a graceful Felric woman whose face was hidden beneath a veil, and a youth in azure robes embroidered with clouds.
The azure-robed youth rose slowly, power radiating from him like a storm unbound.
Darian's eyes locked on him, his voice low and edged with fire.
"So… it's you, Jaren Shanley."